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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Apr 2011

Vol. 730 No. 4

Written Answers

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 8 to 20, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 21 to 32, inclusive, answered orally.

Taxi Regulations

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

33 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the role of the taxi regulator; his further plans to reform the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8625/11]

The National Transport Authority is responsible for the regulation of the taxi industry under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. The former Commission for Taxi Regulation was absorbed into the National Transport Authority with effect from 1st January last. The recently agreed Programme for Government contained a commitment to review and update the regulation of taxis to ensure that taxi services are recognized as a key component of the public transport system. It also stated that we will provide for a forum for discussion between the regulatory authorities and taxi providers. I am currently looking to establish the best, most effective and efficient way to implement this commitment. In doing this, I am aware of the very diverse view within the taxi industry on the future of the taxi industry as well as the concerns of consumers. I expect to be in a position by the early summer to announce how I intend to implement this commitment from the Programme for Government.

Air Services

Dessie Ellis

Question:

34 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that generic authorisations for landing or overflight clearances for unscheduled civilian aircraft are modified to stipulate the prior acceptance of rules regarding registration of details and other inspection measures; and if additional legislation is required to do this. [8602/11]

Under domestic law, a number of types of air services stand authorised subject to my being satisfied that the operator is competent to secure the safe operation of the aircraft to be used in the proposed service. The services that stand authorised are listed in S.I. No. 326 of 1993. To give the Deputy an example of the types of services in question, an over-flight by aircraft of a Contracting State to the Chicago Convention engaged in a charter operation would stand authorised, as would any landing for a technical-stop, or an air service operated for humanitarian or emergency purposes.

My officials may request documentation from the operators of these types of flights in certain circumstances, and it may be necessary to issue an authorisation. Such documentation includes:

Air Operators Certificate, listing the aircraft the operator can operate

Certificate of Registration

Air Worthiness Certificate

Noise Certificate (to show compliance with the current standards as regards noise)

Insurance Certificate

My officials then consult with the Irish Aviation Authority regarding the documentation submitted, to establish that the proposed operations are safe in every respect. It is not proposed to amend the legislation governing authorisations of flights for the purposes outlined.

Public Transport

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

35 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase investment in an all-Ireland public transport network. [8615/11]

Martin Ferris

Question:

53 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to expand an all-Ireland rail network on an accelerated basis, including an extended western rail corridor serving counties Donegal and Derry, the Derry-Dublin rail link and the west Cork railway network. [8622/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 53 together.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The provision of transport services in this jurisdiction is a matter for individual transport operators, and where appropriate in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. The question of the development of public transport services and investment in Northern Ireland is a matter for the authorities in Northern Ireland in the first instance. However I understand that there is a level of ongoing co-operation and coordination between public transport providers in both jurisdictions to provide customers with appropriate services.

As the Deputy will be aware issues relating to cross-border public transport services are discussed under the auspices of the North-South Ministerial Council with a focus on the main rail link between Dublin and Belfast. In relation to future transport investment, the Government has announced the preparation of a new Capital Investment Framework from 2012 to be overseen by my colleague Mr Brendan Howlin TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This will involve a comprehensive review of all capital spending by my Department.

The review will focus on the overall cost and benefits of projects and programmes, including their overall economic impact and their employment creation potential. The review will of course need to take account of new funding realities. A major priority will be to protect existing investment and maintain safety standards. This of necessity will limit the scope for new projects with only those offering the highest return having a chance of being prioritised.

Road Network

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

36 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the awarding of the construction contracts set out as Goals 2011 in the annual report 2010 and programme for 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8629/11]

I understand that the Deputy is referring to the National Roads Authority's Annual Report for 2010 and its Programme for 2011. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

37 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the urgent matter of persons tailgating to avoid paying tolls; the amount of money outstanding in eFlow payments on the M50. [8624/11]

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In addition, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the NRA under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007). Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Air Services

Sandra McLellan

Question:

38 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his view that Ireland has been used as a stopover on known rendition circuits; the discussions he has had with the Department of Justice and Equality and Department of Defence on this issue. [8609/11]

There have been many allegations made by various organisations about alleged rendition activities through Irish airports and/or through Irish airspace. I understand that a number of such allegations have been investigated in the past and have led to no action. None of the various investigations have revealed any evidence, or even a specific allegation, that any person has on any occasion been subject to extraordinary rendition through Ireland.

I am advised that the last Government received unique assurances from the highest level of a friendly State that no extraordinary rendition has taken place through Ireland. I am also advised that it received legal advice that it was entitled under international law to rely on those assurances which were unqualified and unequivocal, i.e. that no prisoners have been subject to extraordinary rendition through Ireland. In the circumstances, I have not yet discussed this matter with my colleague, Alan Shatter, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence or with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamonn Gilmore.

Question No. 39 answered with Question No. 32.

Public Transport

Brian Lenihan

Question:

40 Deputy Brian Lenihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is committed to the full roll out of integrated ticketing; and when he expects this to be completed. [8584/11]

Denis Naughten

Question:

47 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the integrated ticketing project will be completed; the cost of the project to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8546/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 47 together.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to public transport. Responsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing scheme in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) became a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 30th September 2010 with the commencement of section 58 of the Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) Act 2008. Furthermore in accordance with section 63(1) of the DTA Act 2008, the Authority has had extended to it the functions in relation to integrated ticketing schemes for all other areas of the State. Noting this I have referred the Deputies' questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

41 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the public transport system in Cork. [8620/11]

A public transport feasibility study was commissioned by Cork City Council in 2008 for the Cork Metropolitan Area which was funded by my Department. The study known as CATS (Cork Area Transit System) sets out a public transport strategy to meet the public transport travel needs of the region up to 2020 and beyond. Amongst the key recommendations of the Study are:

the development of a west to east rapid transit corridor from Ballincollig to Mahon via the city centre and Docklands, with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) rather than Light Rail Transit (LRT) being the preferred option;

the phased implementation of an enhanced and reconfigured bus network; and

the implementation of a city centre Traffic Management Plan to improve accessibility to the city centre and the environment for public transport vehicles, pedestrians andcyclists.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) is currently examining the recommendations of the Study, as requested by my Department, in consultation as necessary with other appropriate bodies with a view to assessing and prioritising future public transport options for the Cork region, having regard to the current difficult budgetary position.

Some of the CATS Study's recommendations are already being funded under the Regional Cities Bus Priority and Park & Ride Programme, administered by the NTA, for which an overall allocation of €5.5 million has been provided in 2011 to the four regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. The Cork region has received €30.15 million under this programme since 2006. Cork City Council has been allocated €1.2 million in 2011, comprising €900,000 for the Ballincollig Green Route and €300,000 for the Carrigrohane Park & Ride facility.

Air Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

42 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a regime to ensure aviation leasing companies who do business with intelligence agencies declare to the aviation authority if a hired plane is being used by an intelligence agency and therefore is on official state business, even if a private company is hiring the plane. [8605/11]

I do not plan to introduce such a regime. The Irish Aviation Authority has statutory responsibility for regulating the safety standards in civil aviation in the State and for providing air navigation services to aircraft operating in Irish airspace and it performs these functions in accordance with its mandate under national and EU law and in accordance with the relevant international conventions.

Rail Network

Martin Ferris

Question:

43 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to prioritise rapid construction of a Dublin-Navan rail link. [8623/11]

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as Phase 2 of the Navan rail line, comes under the remit of the NTA. The legislative basis for this is Section 11(1)(e) of the DTA Act 2008 "Principal Functions of Authority — The principal functions of the Authority are to secure the provision of public transport infrastructure".

However, in relation to policy on this issue the Government has announced the preparation of a new capital investment framework for the period from 2012. This will be overseen by my colleague Mr Brendan Howlin,TD Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The preparation of the new framework requires that my Department review all existing projects and programmes. This will focus on the cost and benefits, the contribution to overall economic objectives as well as the employment creation potential. The review which will involve consultation with relevant agencies will of course also need to take account of new funding realities. A major priority will be to ensure funding to protect and maintain existing investment and maintain high safety standards. This of necessity will restrict the funding for new projects with only those offering the highest return having any chance of being prioritised.

Public Transport

Timmy Dooley

Question:

44 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to privatise bus services. [8582/11]

In accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government to explore the benefit to the public transport passenger of more diverse bus service provision, I am considering the various options that are currently available as regards achieving greater diversity of bus operators. Under EU law and the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended, existing public service obligation (PSO) bus services can be procured by the National Transport Authority (NTA) through direct award contracts and any other new subvented services must be procured by way of open tendering.

The 2008 Act enables the granting of contracts on a direct award basis to Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann in respect of existing services and on a public tender basis for new services. The direct award contracts with the bus companies apply for 5 years. At the end of the 5 year period NTA have discretion to renew, modify or terminate the direct award provision of bus services following a consultation process with interested parties under which the NTA is obliged to justify its approach.

Apart from the public service contract responsibilities granted to the NTA, the 2009 Act also conferred on the NTA responsibility for the licensing of commercial public bus passenger services. The NTA published, in November 2010, new Guidelines for the licensing of public bus services which set out the basis for a reformed licensing system for commercial bus passenger services in the State. The Guidelines identify commercial bus passenger services as a key part of public transport services in the State. I will be consulting with my Ministerial colleagues on the future options for procurement of PSO bus services once I have completed my examination of the options. I hope to announce the outcome of those consultations in the coming months.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

45 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his priorities for the development of a comprehensive effort and integrated national transport system in respect of road, rail, air and sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8589/11]

This Government's transport objectives are set out in the Programme for Government and place a heavy emphasis on the delivery of effective public transport services. Within this context, I have outlined my transport priorities to 2016 on my Department's website. In particular, I believe that initiatives like integrated ticketing, better stations and bus stops, real-time passenger information, safe cycling and attractive walking are needed to encourage people out of their cars onto public transport.

The Government is committed to reviewing all proposed State investment with a view to identifying investment priorities across the State sector. Following that, the Government will draw up a new National Development Plan that reflects Ireland's changed economic circumstances, covering the seven-year period 2012-2019. The longer-term transport priorities of the Government will be determined by this process.

Rail Network

Robert Dowds

Question:

46 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on delivering a major transport infrastructure project in Dublin and, in particular, his further views on building a much needed underground interconnector between Heuston Station and the main north/south rail corridor with a stop at the St. Stephen’s Green Luas. [8587/11]

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as the DART Underground, comes under the remit of the NTA. The legislative basis for this is Section 11(1)(e) of the DTA Act 2008 "Principal Functions of Authority — The principal functions of the Authority are to secure the — provision of public transport infrastructure".

In relation to Government policy regarding DART Underground, as part of the preparation of a new Capital Investment Framework recently approved by Government which will be overseen by my colleague Mr Brendan Howlin, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department will review transport capital spending. This review, which will take place against a background of new funding realities, will examine the costs and benefits of all capital projects as well as their overall economic impact and job creation potential. A major consideration will be the need to prioritise funding to protect investment made to date and to maintain high safety standards.

In relation to the large public transport projects in the Dublin area, the availability of funding, both from the Exchequer and private sources, will be a key consideration as will the contribution in the short, medium and long term to transport objectives and employment creation potential. Despite funding difficulties I will be seeking to ensure that at least one of these projects will go ahead and in this regard will examine all realistic options for delivery including delivery on an incremental, phased basis.

Question No. 47 answered with Question No. 40.

Rail Services

Liam Twomey

Question:

48 Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding policy on freight transportation by rail; if he is in discussion with CIE regarding the future of rail freight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8579/11]

I have met the Chairman and senior executives in Iarnród Éireann since my appointment and a range of issues were discussed, including rail freight. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that it has, in recent years, substantially restructured its rail freight activity into a profitable business sector within the company. In that context, Iarnród Éireann has made progress in developing the rail freight business in areas where it holds a competitive advantage over road haulage, e.g. large volumes or trainloads over longer distances.

Freight trains are operated daily for primary products such as timber from the West of Ireland to Waterford and zinc ore from Tara Mines to Dublin Port. Import/Export container trains are also operated to and from Ballina to both Waterford Port and the Port of Dublin. Iarnród Éireann will pursue further profitable rail freight business opportunities, where feasible. I understand from Iarnrod Eireann that the recent completion by the Port of Dublin of a new rail spur within the port area will enhance connectivity for further growth in the rail freight business to and from Dublin Port.

Question No. 49 answered with Question No. 29.

Rail Network

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

50 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for metro north. [8628/11]

Brian Lenihan

Question:

52 Deputy Brian Lenihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reconsider proceeding with enabling works on metro north in 2011 in order to create certainty around the project. [8583/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 52 together.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area such as Metro North, comes under the remit of the National Transport Authority. The legislative basis for this is Section 11(1)(e) of the DTA Act 2008 "Principal Functions of Authority — The principal functions of the Authority are to secure the provision of public transport infrastructure".

In relation to the future policy as regards Metro North, the Government has announced the preparation of a new Capital Investment Framework to be overseen by my colleague Deputy Brendan Howlin, Minister for Public Enterprise and Reform. In this regard my Department will review all proposed capital spending. This review, which will take place against a background of new funding realities, will examine the costs and benefits of all capital projects and their contribution to overall economic objectives including employment creation. A key consideration for transport will be the need to prioritise funding to protect investment made to date and to maintain high safety standards.

In relation to the large public transport projects in the Dublin area no decisions have yet been made by me as to which project will proceed. The availability of funding, both from the Exchequer and private sources will be a further major determining factor in the review of these projects, two of which — Metro North and Dart Underground — were to be developed as Public Private Partnerships. There is a lot of uncertainty around the availability of private funding for projects dependant on Exchequer funds due to the sovereign debt situation.

In any event it is clear that all three cannot proceed in the immediate future. This was accepted by the previous Government following the publication of the National Recovery Plan. Despite funding difficulties I will be seeking to ensure that at least one of these projects will proceed and in this regard will examine all realistic approaches including delivery on an incremental, phased basis. I have recently received correspondence on the Metro North enabling works from the NTA and RPA and will be considering the matter shortly.

Road Network

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

51 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the maintenance costs of roads built since 2004; the amount of money broken down by road and local authority areas in tabular form. [8614/11]

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply in relation to national roads. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources and are supplemented by State road grants. Details of expenditure on the maintenance of individual regional and local roads would only be available from individual local authorities and the Department would have no record of such detailed project expenditure. I would also ask the Deputy to note that all of the Regional and Local Road Grant Payments to each local authority including those for major schemes over the last 10 years are available in the Oireachtas Library.

Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 50.
Question No. 53 answered with Question No. 35.

Road Safety

Denis Naughten

Question:

54 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his position regarding the road safety strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8545/11]

The Road Safety Strategy 2007 — 2012 is being successfully implemented across a range of agencies. The core objective of the Road Safety Strategy is to reduce road deaths to no greater that 60 fatalities per million population by the end of 2012. This is an average of 21 road deaths per month or 252 deaths per annum. 2010 saw the lowest number of road deaths on record at 213. This is an average of 18 road deaths per month. This core objective has been met well before its target date and we must concentrate our efforts in ensuring that the figure is maintained or improved over the next few years. While there has been a slight increase in the year-on-year rate so far in 2011, we continue to be below the target monthly average.

Under action 83 of the Strategy, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is tasked with reporting annually on the 126 actions in the Strategy. The report on the implementation of the actions for 2009 was approved by my predecessor on 1st March 2011. This is the third such report. The report outlines the progress on the 56 actions (including annual actions) included in the Road Safety Strategy for implementation in 2009. Of these 56 actions, 39 were completed in full and on time, a further 8 are nearing completion or completed outside of the target date and a further 9 are incomplete for a variety of reasons. I expect to receive the fourth annual report covering the implementation of the 2010 actions later this year. At a recent meeting with the Board of the RSA, I requested that initial consideration be given, at an early stage, to the content of the next road safety strategy, which will commence in 2013.

Air Services

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

55 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure the Irish Aviation Authority establishes and maintains an up-to-date register of aircraft known to have been involved in and aircraft operators whose planes have been implicated in rendition and other human rights violations; and his further plans to ensure air traffic control require of these operators detailed information before landing or overflight clearance is granted and his plans to target these operators for particular attention in compliance, monitoring and inspections. [8607/11]

The Irish Aviation Authority's remit is set down in the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993 and this does not entail the types of checks that the Deputy suggests. As set out in response to earlier questions on this subject, I am advised that the last Government received unique assurances from the highest level of a friendly State that no extraordinary rendition has taken place through Ireland. I am also advised that it received legal advice that it was entitled under international law to rely on those assurances which were unqualified and unequivocal, i.e. that no prisoners have been subject to extraordinary rendition through Ireland. In these circumstances, I do not propose implementing the measures outlined by the Deputy.

Departmental Expenditure

John Browne

Question:

56 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects the review of capital spending in his Department to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8585/11]

The government has announced the preparation of a new Capital Investment Framework for the period from 2012. This will be overseen by my colleague Brendan Howlin T.D. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. In this context, my Department has commenced a Capital Expenditure Review which will set out the priorities for transport infrastructure spending for the coming years. Key criteria for selecting projects will be the costs and benefits of each as well as their overall economic impact and job creation potential. Having regard to the new financial realities a major priority will be to provide funds to protect investments made to date and to maintain high safety standards. I expect the Review, which will take place in consultation with relevant agencies, to be completed in approximately three months.

Public Transport

Timmy Dooley

Question:

57 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport which public transport projects he favours outside of Dublin having recently outlined his position on public transport projects for Dublin. [8581/11]

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. As part of the preparation of a new Capital Investment Framework recently approved by Government which will be overseen by my colleague Mr. Brendan Howlin, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department will review transport capital spending. This review, which will take place against a background of new funding realities, will examine the costs and benefits of all capital projects as well as their overall economic impact and job creation potential. A major consideration will be the need to prioritise funding to protect investment made to date and to maintain high safety standards.

For public transport this will mean continuing to fund a railway safety programme as well as providing a level of funding for replacement buses on PSO routes throughout the country. I will also be seeking to provide funds for accessibility projects and for smarter travel and traffic management programmes and projects in regional cities and towns across the country. This will mean that of necessity the funds available for any new public transport infrastructure projects will be very limited.

Port Development

Liam Twomey

Question:

58 Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any discussions with CIE regarding the future of Rosslare Europort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8578/11]

I have had no discussions with Iarnrod Eireann about the future of Rosslare port which I understand continues to be a profitable operation within the company.

Question No. 59 answered with Question No. 29.

Road Network

Gerry Adams

Question:

60 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the Leinster orbital route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8617/11]

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In the current financial circumstances, there are no plans to progress the Leinster Orbital Route.

International Agreements

Sandra McLellan

Question:

61 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his view of his Department being the lead Department engaging with the International Civil Aviation Organisation; if he will set out the deficiencies identified within the Chicago Convention and any steps taken towards its review. [8608/11]

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) was established by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (commonly referred to as the Chicago Convention) which was signed by 52 States in December 1944. ICAO was established as a means to secure international co-operation, the highest possible degree of uniformity in regulations and standards, procedures and organisation regarding civil aviation matters. To date 190 States have become a party to the Chicago Convention, a testament to its continued relevance and the validity of its main goal, being ".. that international civil aviation may be developed in a safe and orderly manner and that international air transport services may be established on the basis of equality of opportunity and operated soundly and economically.”

While the Chicago Convention itself has remained unchanged since 1944, the 18 Annexes to the Convention which set out the standards and recommended practices for the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation are continually reviewed and updated to keep abreast of advances in technology and developments in aviation.

As regards the lead Department engaging with ICAO, I consider it entirely appropriate that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is the lead Department in the State to engage with ICAO given that ICAO's three primary objectives are to enhance global civil aviation safety, enhance global civil aviation security and foster harmonized and economically viable development of international civil aviation that does not unduly harm the environment. I do not believe there is another more appropriate Department to be tasked with engagement on these objectives.

Cycle Facilities

Brian Stanley

Question:

62 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position in relation to the national cycle policy framework. [8611/11]

The Programme for Government makes it clear that we will continue to invest in the National Cycle Policy and my Department will pursue this commitment on an ongoing basis.

Road Safety

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

63 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number and location at which motor accidents have taken place on the M4 motorway between Lucan, County Dublin and Kilcock, County Kildare; the cause or causes of such accidents if known; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8588/11]

The subject matter of this particular question, i.e. road accident statistics, is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten working days.

Air Services

Brian Stanley

Question:

64 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to establish an inter-agency civil aviation monitoring and inspection system. [8610/11]

I have no plans to establish an inter-agency civil aviation monitoring and inspection system.

Transport 21

Pearse Doherty

Question:

65 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the progression of Transport 21. [8618/11]

Transport 21 was the capital investment framework launched in November 2005 under the National Development Plan (NDP) through which the transport system in Ireland was to be developed, over the period 2006 to 2015. Due to changing economic circumstances, the original allocation provided for T21 which proposed Exchequer funding of €26 billion has been subject to substantial reductions since 2005 resulting in an estimated revised Exchequer investment to end 2011 of around €12 billion. The original programme cannot therefore be completed as envisaged.

The government has now decided to draw up a new NDP to reflect Ireland's changed economic circumstances covering the period 2012-2017. In this context, a Capital Expenditure Review, which will set out the priorities for transport infrastructure for those years has commenced and will be overseen by my colleague Brendan Howlin T.D. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Key criteria for selecting projects will be their economic impact and job creation potential. Having regard to the new financial realities a priority will be to provide funds to protect investment made to date and to maintain high safety standards.

Road Network

Gerry Adams

Question:

66 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to make central Government funding available to local authorities to repair ramps which have been damaged due to bad weather conditions. [8616/11]

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act,1993. Works on these roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State road grants. However, the initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. In February this year it was announced that a total of €375.176 m would be provided to local authorities for the maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads in 2011. In addition, the Restoration Improvement Programme was reintroduced to provide local authorities with flexibility to change their programmes if necessary, given the period of severe weather in late 2010. Furthermore, a Winter Maintenance Grant category has also been introduced which local authorities may use for treating roads during periods of cold weather. To provide increased expenditure flexibility to local authorities the Discretionary Maintenance Grant and the Discretionary Improvement Grant schemes have been combined as a single Discretionary Grant and this may be used for maintenance and for strengthening type works on the road network. Similarly, very considerable flexibility has been given to local authorities in respect of the utilisation of the Department of Transport 2011 Grant Allocations for regional and local roads.

It is also particularly important that local authorities do not reduce expenditure from their own resources in respect of roads this year in view of the current difficult situation and that they carefully reassess their planned road programmes for 2011 in the light of the impact of the bad weather on their road networks. In addition I have directed that the overall transport budget is assessed to determine what scope exists for allocating additional funds for the repair and maintenance of regional and local roads. Any additional funding made available to local authorities as a result of this process will be subject to the normal assessment criteria relating to State grants.

Civil Service Staff

Robert Dowds

Question:

67 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Taoiseach the grade of person eligible to apply for the position of Captain of the Guard in Leinster House; and the criteria used to arrive at a decision on such an appointment. [8685/11]

The method of appointment of the Captain of the Guard in Leinster House, a post last filled in 2002, is laid down in Section 7 of the Staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas Act 1959, which states that "the Captain of the Guard, Houses of the Oireachtas, shall be appointed by the Taoiseach after consultation with the Chairman of Dáil Éireann and the Chairman of Seanad Éireann".

Human Rights Issues

Finian McGrath

Question:

68 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the plight of the dancing boys of Afghanistan, who are young boys in extreme poverty that are being sexually exploited, with the European Union and United Nations. [8700/11]

Conditions in Afghanistan remain difficult. Decades of conflict have taken their toll on the country and its people, leaving much of the Afghan population living in abject poverty. In desperation, some families are forced to sell their children into the illegal practice of "Bacha bazi". The plight of these children has been highlighted by a number of United Nations officials, including the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed conflict Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, human rights activists and pieces in the media. The reports detailing the horrific sexual abuses these children suffer are deeply disturbing and give cause for great concern.

I welcome the recent launch of a National Action Plan by the United Nations to fight child sex trafficking and recruitment of child soldiers in Afghanistan. The plan, which the Afghan Government is committed to implementing, includes the development of national laws and directives to protect children, civil and military accountability mechanisms for punishing those guilty of child abuse and the initiation of a comprehensive education and community awareness campaign on this issue. As part of this process, the United Nations is currently carrying out a detailed study of "Bacha bazi" in Afghanistan to determine the best means of combating it in the future.

Ireland is committed to supporting the efforts of the international community to establish a democratic and stable government in Afghanistan based on respect for the rule of law and human rights, including the rights of women and children. Since 2007, Ireland has allocated €24.8 million in development assistance to Afghanistan and has committed to providing a further €20 million over the three year period 2010-2012. Ireland's funding to Afghanistan is channelled through a number of strategic partners and sectors in line with EU commitments and the EU Action Plan for Afghanistan, which includes support for human rights programs. It will take time and determined action to tackle the practice of "Bacha bazi" but both the UN and Afghan Government have now taken the first steps towards protecting the children of Afghanistan. Ireland will continue to lend them its full support in this matter.

Tax Code

Robert Dowds

Question:

69 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance the reason VAT is charged on the public service obligation levy. [8679/11]

The public service obligation levy (PSO levy) is charged to all electricity customers. It is designed to support the national policy objectives of security of energy supply, the use of indigenous fuels (i.e. peat) and of renewable energy sources in electricity generation. Specifically, the proceeds of the levy are used to recoup the additional costs incurred by ESB and other suppliers in having to source a proportion of their electricity supplies from such generators. In accordance with section 37(1) of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010, the amount on which VAT is chargeable is the total consideration receivable by the supplier, "including all taxes, commissions, costs and charges whatsoever" but not including the VAT itself.

VAT is an EU-wide tax and Irish VAT law must comply with the EU VAT Directives. Article 78 of EU Council Directive 2006/112/EC provides that the taxable amount shall include "taxes, duties, levies and charges, excluding the VAT itself". Accordingly, it is correct to include any levy element of a utility bill in the amount on which VAT is chargeable, including in this case the PSO levy. The same situation applies in the case of the carbon tax and other excises, including for example excises on petrol, auto-diesel, tobacco and alcohol products. Guidance in relation to the VAT treatment of the total consideration receivable by a supplier is set out in the VAT Guide. This publication is available on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie .

Departmental Functions

Dara Calleary

Question:

70 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance when the legislative steps will be taken to allow for the proposed changes to the structure of Departments. [8715/11]

At this stage, I cannot give the Deputy a precise date for the completion of all of the changes to the structures of Government Departments which were announced by the Taoiseach on 9 March as this depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of the legislation governing the particular functions that are to be transferred. The process of transferring functions from one Department to another is generally carried out by means of Government Orders under powers contained in section 6(1) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939. In, some cases, however, primary legislation is required.

Each Order is carefully drafted so that the Schedule to the Order lists all the relevant legislation where responsibility for the function is being transferred to a different Minister and Department. The relevant Departments have been fully engaged in this task since the Taoiseach's announcement. Orders to implement the majority of the changes have already been made and include the following. Orders made on 29 March:

The Government made an Order transferring responsibility for the functions of the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in relation to Equality, Integration, Disability and Human Rights to the Minister of Justice and Law Reform with effect from 1 April 2011.

A second Order was made to change the title of the Minister for Justice and Law Reform to the Minister for Justice and Equality and a similar name change for the Minister's Department, with effect from 2 April 2011.

On the same date an Order transferring responsibility for the functions of the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport in relation to Tourism and Sport to the Minister for Transport with effect from 1 April 2011 was made.

A further Order was made to change the title of the Minister for Transport to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and a similar name change for the Minister's Department, with effect from 2 April 2011.

Orders made on 5 April :

On 5 April the Government made Orders to transfer the functions of the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in relation to

Marine Tourism to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food,

the National Drugs Strategy to the Minister for Health and Children,

Social Inclusion to the Minister for Social Protection,

Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands to the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Each of these transfers will come into effect on 1 May 2011.

Orders made on 19 April:

Yesterday the Government made Orders transferring the Heritage functions from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport with effect from 1 May 2011.

A further Order was made to change the name of the Department to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with effect from 2 May 2011.

The Taoiseach also signed Orders yesterday to transfer further functions from the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. These functions included the ‘Community' functions, Waterways Ireland and the ‘Charities' functions.

When all relevant functions have transferred from the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht, the structure of that Department will be utilised to establish the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. In due course, the Government will be asked to agree to An Alteration of Title and Change of Name Order which will change the name of the Department to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Further Orders will then be made to transfer functions into the new Department.

It is envisaged that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs will comprise:

The functions of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (including co-location of the Early Years Education Unit from the Department of Education and Skills)

Irish Youth Justice Service, transferring from the Department of Justice and Equality.

Functions of the Minister for Education and Skills regarding the National Educational Welfare Board.

Family Affairs and the Family Support Agency (currently part of the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs). A review of the legislation covering the functions transferring into the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is ongoing.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will be established by primary legislation. Work has commenced on the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011. This work is being given top priority in my Department and in the Office of the Attorney General. Initial legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General suggests that the transfer of the Irish Coast Guard from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (which will subsequently be renamed the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) cannot proceed in full without primary legislation. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is awaiting written legal advice to this effect.

There are a number of other Transfer of Functions/Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister Orders currently with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and these will be brought to Government in May. I can assure the Deputy that everyone involved in the process, both in my own Department and in the other Departments concerned, is making every effort to complete all of the changes at the earliest possible date.

Tax Collection

Brendan Griffin

Question:

71 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if stamp duty reimbursement will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8742/11]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there is insufficient information contained in the Deputy's request to enable them to trace the record in this case. An official from the Revenue Commissioners Stamping District will contact the Deputy in order to assist him with his enquiry.

Banking Sector Restructuring

Robert Dowds

Question:

72 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance in view of the fact that it is likely that in the near future there will be no building societies operating here, if he will ensure that there is diversity in the newly restructured Irish retail financial service sector by using his golden share to convert one of the two new pillar banks into a building society, co-operative bank or other mutual entity. [8681/11]

As the Deputy is aware, on 31 March 2011, I announced a radical restructuring of the Irish banking system. This new domestic banking system will have two universal full-service banks as its core pillars, serving the Irish economy and the Irish people. This restructuring process will, over time, return the banking system to long-term viability and profitability. Key objectives which I have set for the process are to provide a secure financial system for deposits and ensure the flow of credit to Irish consumers and businesses, to ensure the Irish banks are viable financial institutions which can fund themselves without continued support from the State or the ECB and eventually, to dispose of the State's shareholdings in these institutions to the benefit of the Exchequer. The future strategic direction of the banking sector — including the legal form of the banks — will be guided by a range of factors including the maximisation of the return to the taxpayer from the necessary intervention by the State in the current banking crisis.

Departmental Properties

Charles Flanagan

Question:

73 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide full and detailed particulars of rental property in Portlaoise, County Laois, currently leased to the State, with particular reference to the number of buildings, the location of buildings, the tenure under which the lands are being leased, the term of the lease and the rent; the position regarding the proposed construction of a State building in Portlaoise to accommodate officials from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the current programme of decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8745/11]

The Office of Public Works currently rents ten buildings in Portlaoise for the purposes of providing Office/Warehouse accommodation for various Government Departments. The lease details are scheduled in the table.

Building

Rent Per Annum

Lease Term No of Years

Lease Commencement Date

Lease Expiry Date

Portlaoise Furniture Store, Timahoe Road

2,031.58

10

1 Jan 2001

25 Dec 2011

Portlaoise Agriculture Warehouse, Kylekiproe Industrial Estate

107,919.25

20

1 Dec 1999

30 Nov 2019

Portlaoise DAF Appeals Office, Kilminchy Court

84,051.49

20

1 June 2003

1 June 2023

Portlaoise Agriculture Office, Knockmay

191,000.00

6

25 Apr 2005

25 Dec 2011

Portlaoise Agriculture Office, Grattan Business Centre, Dublin Road

264,640.00

5

20 Jan 2006

25 Dec 2011

Portlaoise Environment Office, Breffni, Old Abbeyleix Road

9,945.00

5

12 July 2006

11 Oct 2011

Portlaoise Agriculture & Education Office, Grattan House, Grattan Business Centre, Dublin Road

46,860.00

9

1 Aug 2006

30 June 2016

75,000.00

5

30 Nov 2007

29 Nov 2012

Portlaoise Agriculture Records Warehouse, Unit 11, Clonminam Industrial Estate

98,133.16

20

10 Dec 2007

9 Dec 2027

Portlaoise Education & Equality Office, James Fintan Lawlor Avenue

60,961.50

4

1 July 2008

31 May 2013

Portlaoise Agriculture Office, Gandon Court, Fairgreen

70,500.00

20

14 Mar 2009

13 Mar 2029

76,050.00

20

22 May 2009

21 May 2029

67,245.00

20

1 July 2009

1 July 2029

Permanent accommodation in Portlaoise for officials of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was originally to be procured under a PPP process, which also included the provision of accommodation for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation in Carlow and the Department of Education and Skills in Mullingar. This project was terminated by the Minister for Finance in December 2009 on affordability and value for money grounds. It was decided that the Portlaoise element of the project would proceed by traditional procurement. The Department is currently reviewing the staffing requirements of the project in the context of its overall numbers. Although this project is approved in principle, the demands on the Office of Public Works resources make it unlikely that the project could commence in the short to medium term.

Tax Code

Brian Lenihan

Question:

74 Deputy Brian Lenihan asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of abolishing the €3 travel tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8789/11]

The air travel tax yielded €105m in 2010. Budget 2011 introduced a single air travel tax rate of €3 with effect from 1 March on a temporary basis, replacing the €2 and €10 distance related rates, in conjunction with a DAA incentive scheme. This reduction is estimated to cost the Exchequer €56m in tax this year. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to abolish the €3 travel tax subject to a deal being agreed with airlines to re-open closed routes and bring more tourists into Ireland. This measure, if implemented with effect from 1 July 2011, will cost €15m in 2011, €91m in 2012, €105m in 2013 and thereafter. These costs reflect the fact that the Budget 2011 reduction in the rate to €3 was on a temporary basis, i.e. the costs provided reflect the move from the full rate of €10.

Civil Service Staff

Brian Lenihan

Question:

75 Deputy Brian Lenihan asked the Minister for Finance if he is committed to reforming civil servants' privilege days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8790/11]

It is the position that privilege days no longer pertain in the civil service and have been incorporated into the annual leave allowance of civil servants. In the context of a more integrated public service, as set out in the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014, the issue of standardising annual leave arrangements across the public service is being considered by my Department.

Brian Lenihan

Question:

76 Deputy Brian Lenihan asked the Minister for Finance the annual cost of civil servant sick leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8791/11]

As the Deputy will be aware, primary responsibility for recording and managing sick leave rates is the responsibility of individual Departments and Offices, while the development of policy is a matter for my Department. In late 2009 the Comptroller and Auditor General published a Special Report on Sickness Absence in the Civil Service. That Special Report showed that sickness absence rates and costs vary widely across Government Departments and Offices.

The day to day management of sickness absence rests with each Government Department or Office. Each Department has IT systems to record attendance and absences in the Civil Service, namely a Time and Attendance system and a Human Resource Management System (HRMS). These systems form an essential part of absence management and control and are aimed at complementing the non-IT systems, the manual business processes in place for checking, cross referencing and validating absences, thus providing an overall robust system for absence management in the Civil Service.

An officer's career in the Civil Service can be seriously affected if her/his sick absences indicate that s/he cannot be relied upon to give regular and effective service. Sick leave has a very important role in the assessment of the suitability of staff for retention and progression in the Civil Service. Abuse of the sick leave regulations may lead to severe penalties including dismissal, withholding of salary increments and withdrawal of sick pay privileges. These arrangements have recently been reinforced and updated by my Department which has developed an up to date policy on management of sick leave taking account of the issues raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The updated policy has been agreed with Staff Unions and is now in force. The policy was set out in a comprehensive circular on the Management of Sick Leave issued in July 2010 which is available on our website at www.personnelcode.gov.ie. The policy also gives effect to many of the C&AG recommendations in his Special Report Sickness Absence in the Civil Service such as:

Defining long term sick leave;

New practice when resuming work after sick leave ;

Introduction of Sick Leave Review and Return to Work Meetings

Early intervention and referral to the Chief Medical Officer in accordance with international best practice

The Circular aims to reduce absence from work by effective management of sick leave, and to this end, sets out manager's and officer's responsibilities in this area. As effective reporting formats and procedures are essential elements of a successful sick leave management system, the Circular sets out minimum reporting standards. To underpin this, an effective reporting format has been devised for sick absences. The reduction of work absences and costs should result in improved service delivery and relieve pressure on staff resources.

Fiscal Policy

Brian Lenihan

Question:

77 Deputy Brian Lenihan asked the Minister for Finance if he has made contact with US regulatory authorities to collate the dollar assets of Irish banks in order that they can be used as security to secure funding from the US Federal Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8792/11]

I have not made contact with the US regulatory authorities regarding the matter the Deputy refers to. The Deputy may however be aware that on 21 December 2010, the ECB announced a prolongation of US dollar liquidity-providing operations via its swap arrangements with the Federal Reserve until 1 August 2011. These dollar liquidity-providing operations take the form of repurchase operations against eligible criteria and are carried out as fixed rate tenders with full allotment. The operations have a maturity of seven days and are conducted every week. The Central Bank has advised me that this facility is available for all Eurosystem counterparties, if required.

Departmental Staff

Brian Lenihan

Question:

78 Deputy Brian Lenihan asked the Minister for Finance the precise responsibility of a person (details supplied) at his Department; the grade he holds; the circumstances of the transfer of this person from the Central Bank and the grade he held at the Central Bank. [8793/11]

The person who is the subject of the Deputy's question has been seconded from the Central Bank to the Department of Finance with effect from the end of last month. As the requirement for senior staff has increased, the person concerned brings with him considerable relevant experience and expertise. He has been assigned to oversee the recently announced restructuring of the banking sector and associated issues. As part of these duties, the person will report directly to the Secretary-General of the Department of Finance, and will lead the relevant team within the Department of Finance. He will act, in other words, as a senior official within the Department. The assignment of staff on secondment from the Central Bank to the Department and vice-versa is a normal feature of working arrangements between the two organisations, though this may be the first recent time that a secondment has happened at the senior management level. The precise term of the person's secondment from the Central Bank is a matter for discussion between the Department and the Central Bank.

Departmental Reports

Brian Lenihan

Question:

79 Deputy Brian Lenihan asked the Minister for Finance in relation to the comprehensive spending review, the person who is conducting the review and if there is external assistance provided for the review by way of participation or consultancy services. [8794/11]

Brian Lenihan

Question:

80 Deputy Brian Lenihan asked the Minister for Finance the terms of reference of the comprehensive spending review. [8795/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.

Arrangements for the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure are being put in place by the relevant officials. It has been agreed by Government that each Department will undertake a root and branch evaluation of both its own expenditure and that of bodies within its remit, under the general oversight of a Steering Committee of senior officials. It is not proposed at this point to retain the services of external consultants. These Reports will be considered by the Government Economic Management Council and will form a key input to the Government's decisions on the annual Budget and Estimates process.

The objectives of the Expenditure Review process will be to provide the Government with a comprehensive set of decision options:

to meet the overall fiscal consolidation objectives, both as regards spending and numbers reduction targets;

to re-align spending with the Programme for Government priorities; and

in this context, to consider new ways of achieving Government objectives in the context of public sector reform.

Tax Code

Brian Lenihan

Question:

81 Deputy Brian Lenihan asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that no changes to VAT are proposed in the forthcoming jobs initiative. [8796/11]

The Government has committed in the Programme for Government to introduce a Jobs Initiative. Included in this initiative is a commitment to lower the 13.5% reduced rate of VAT to 12% up to the end of 2013. The exact terms of this Jobs Initiative will be announced in the forthcoming weeks.

Proposed Legislation

Brian Lenihan

Question:

82 Deputy Brian Lenihan asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that no amendment to the Finance Act 2011 will be proposed in the forthcoming jobs initiative in the tax treatment of pensions. [8797/11]

The full extent of the potential tax changes which may be introduced as part of the forthcoming Jobs Initiative is still under consideration. In line with accepted practice, I do not intend to comment on those changes in advance of their disclosure to this House.

Property Valuations

Brian Lenihan

Question:

83 Deputy Brian Lenihan asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to ensure that information gathered from the stamp duty regime is used to compile data on house valuation to inform a valuations database. [8798/11]

I am assuming that the question relates to the compilation of a property valuations database that would be publicly available. The Programme for National Government contains a commitment to improve the quality of information available on the housing market by requiring that the selling price of all dwellings be recorded in a publicly available national housing price database. I am informed by the Minister for Justice and Equality that he intends to give effect to this commitment by assigning statutory responsibility for publishing details of residential property sales prices to the Property Services Regulatory Authority.

The Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009, which was published by the previous Government, provides for the establishment of this authority and is currently awaiting Dáil Committee Stage. The Minister for Justice and Equality intends to table amendments to the Bill which will expand the authority's statutory functions to include the publication of residential property sales prices. Similar amendments had been proposed during the last Dáil by the previous Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. However, the Deputy will be aware that the Revenue Commissioners treat taxpayer confidentiality very seriously and s77 Finance Act 2011 contains new provisions underpinning that confidentiality. In particular, the Revenue Commissioners are specifically excluded from divulging taxpayer information in the absence of a statutory requirement.

Public Sector Pay

Brian Lenihan

Question:

84 Deputy Brian Lenihan asked the Minister for Finance the assistance that will be rendered and the participation that will take place by him or his officials in the EU-International Monetary Fund reverse benchmarking exercise to reduce public sector pay. [8799/11]

The EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland does not include a reverse benchmarking exercise to reduce public sector pay. No proposal for such an exercise has been made and accordingly the participation or assistance of my officials does not arise.

Irish Government Bonds

Sean Fleming

Question:

85 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the names and addresses of each person or association acting on their own behalf or on the behalf of clients or both and the amounts involved in each case who took up or bought Irish Government bonds during the last issue of bonds on behalf of Ireland by the National Treasury Management Agency or any other agency on behalf of Ireland; the methods by which these were paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8813/11]

Sean Fleming

Question:

86 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide names and addresses of each person or association acting on their own behalf or on the behalf of clients or both and the amounts involved in each from whom the Government purchased or redeemed bonds during the last issue of bonds on behalf of Ireland by the National Treasury Management Agency or any other agency on behalf of Ireland; the methods by which these were paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8814/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together.

I am informed by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), which is responsible for borrowing on behalf of the Government and the management of the National Debt, that the most recent issuance of Irish Government bonds by the Agency took place by auction in September 2010. This completed a programme of bond funding by the NTMA which raised €20bn for the calendar year to meet the Exchequer's requirements.

Bond auctions are conducted electronically on the Bloomberg Auction System and are confined to the Primary Dealers in Irish Government bonds, which are recognised by the NTMA and are members of and regulated by the Irish Stock Exchange. They are:

Barclays, London

BNP Paribas, London

Citigroup, London

Credit Agricole CIB, Paris

Danske Bank, Copenhagen

Davy, Dublin

Deutsche Bank, Frankfurt

Goldman Sachs, London

HSBC CCF, Paris

ING Bank NV, Amsterdam

JP Morgan, London

Bank of America Merrill Lynch, London

Nomura International plc, London

Royal Bank of Scotland, London

Société Générale, Paris.

Primary Dealers are obliged to maintain a market in Irish Government bonds and are granted exclusive access to primary bond issuance. They buy bonds when they are issued both to satisfy client demand and to maintain market positions on their own books. Bonds are bought and sold on a delivery-versus-payment basis, whereby secure electronic payments and title transfer are made contemporaneously.

The vast majority of bonds are held by institutional investors in the Euroclear clearing and settlement system, generally in a nominee account structure, which does not permit the identification of the beneficial owners. This is standard market practice in the sovereign bond markets. The composition of holders of Irish Government bonds can, as with any liquid asset market, change quite quickly as market circumstances change. In the case of bond redemptions, the payments are made via Euroclear to the holders of the bonds.

The Central Bank of Ireland maintains a register of Irish Government bonds. The bonds held by Euroclear, representing 99.74% of Irish Government bonds in issue, are registered in one omnibus account in the Central Bank's register but details of the bond transactions relating to those bonds are held by Euroclear. All transactions in relation to the remaining 0.26% of Irish Government bonds are made through the Central Bank and information regarding individual holders is treated as confidential.

EU-IMF Fund

Sean Fleming

Question:

87 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance in respect of the EU-IMF programme for assistance, if he will provide the actual draw downs of funds in euros on a quarterly basis for the duration of the programme in respect of each source of funding, namely, the IMF extended fund facility, the European Financial Stability Mechanism, the eurozone member states' European Financial Stability Fund and bilateral loans from the UK, Denmark and Sweden in tabular form; if he will set out in respect of each source of funding the interest rate, interest rate changes for each year and the interest to be actually paid each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8815/11]

Disbursement Schedules

The EU-IMF Programme of Financial support provides for €85 billion in overall support with the external element of this funding amounting to €67.5 billion up to the end of 2013. In relation to the schedule for the drawdown of the programme funding it is important to note that this will be continuously reviewed to take account of our requirements.

To date, a number of indicative schedules for drawing down this funding have been published in the staff reports of the EU Commission and the IMF. The most recent of these was that published by the EU Commission in February this year. These schedules are indicative, and are in the process of being updated to take account of later information. For example — the programme envisaged a provision of €35 billion for the banking sector support. Following the recent stress tests, the total requirement is now assessed at €24 billion in gross terms, with the net figure being somewhat lower as part of this is expected to be found from private capital raising and contributions from the subordinated bond holders. In that context the exact amount required to be drawn down for bank recapitalisation cannot be determined until these exercises have been completed. The precise requirements for exchequer funding will also become clear as the year progresses. The schedules for quarterly draw downs are therefore subject to variation.

The indicative data published by the European Commission in February 2011 included an illustrative drawdown schedule for the EU-IMF element of the programme (including bilateral loans). This is set out in table 1 below.

Table 1: Indicative draw down Profile — February 2011 (€ billion)

EU-IMF Loan Disbursement

Q1 2011

Q2 2011

Q32011

Q4 2011

Year 2011

Year 2012

Year 2013

Total

EU

11.7

8.4

3.9

4.6

28.6

13.1

3.3

45

IMF

5.9

4.2

1.9

2.3

14.3

6.6

1.6

22.5

Total

17.6

12.6

5.8

6.9

42.9

19.7

4.9

67.5

Source: EU European Economy Paper 76 February 2011: The Economic Adjustment Programme for Ireland.

As already noted, this schedule is indicative and assumes drawdown of the full amount of the funding available. The drawdown schedule was discussed during the recent review mission, which finished last week. It is now envisaged that the aggregate drawdown for this year will amount to €38.5 billion in 2011. It is currently envisaged that an amount of up to €19 billion may be drawn down in 2012 and on that basis the remaining €10 billion of external funding would be available for drawdown in 2013. The details of this proposed drawdown schedule are still being discussed by the NTMA with the EU, the ECB and the IMF. Once final agreement has been reached on the exact timing and the allocation of the external funds the revised indicative schedule will be published by my Department.

The amounts drawn down to date, and the interest rate applicable to these amounts, are set out in Table 2 below:

Table 2: Draw down of EU & IMF funds to date (April 2011)

Net Disbursement amount

Draw down Date

MaturityProfile

Interest Rate (Effective)

€billion

%

EFSM

4.973

12 Jan 2011

4 years 11 months

5.51

3.4

24 March 2011

7 years

6.206

IMF

5.836

18 Jan 2011

7½ years average life

1.92 SDR = 5.2*

EFSF

3.592**

1 Feb 2011

5 years 6 months

5.9

Total

17.801

5.62***

*The SDR rate on the IMF drawdown reflects the lower rate arising from our recent quota increase. It is lower than the overall indicative rate for this funding as it is the initial drawdown and accordingly a portion of the drawdown attracts a lower rate of interest as it is less than 3 times quota. An additional surcharge is added for any borrowing in excess of 3 times quota that is outstanding for more than three years. The 5.2% € rate shown is the estimated equivalent rate at current market rates and taking account of an expected future increase in Ireland's IMF quota when the full amount of the SDR floating rate funds available under the Programme is swapped into euro fixed rates.

**This is the net disbursement amount. The drawdown under the EFSF is €4.2 billion but some €600 million of this is applied to credit enhancement measures — leaving €3.592 billion available for the exchequer.

*** The effective interest rate on the total amount is calculated using the 5.2% Euro equivalent interest rate shown above for IMF funding.

Drawdown schedules for the bilateral loans:

UK

The disbursement schedule for the UK bilateral loans is as follows:

Table 3: UK loan disbursement profile

Review (IMF)

Amount

Q3 2011

£403,370,000

Q4 2011

£403,370,000

Q1 2012

£403,370,000

Q2 2012

£403,370,000

Q3 2012

£403,370,000

Q4 2012

£403,370,000

Q1 2013

£403,370,000

Q2 2013

£403,370,000

Denmark and Sweden

Discussion of the Danish and Swedish loan agreements is continuing and both the proposed drawdown schedules and the interest rate to be charged on the loans will form part of that discussion.

Interest Rates:

The average (blended) interest rate on the €67.5 billion available to be drawn from these three external sources was estimated to be 5.82 per cent on the basis of market rates at the time of the agreement. The actual cost will depend on the prevailing market rates at the time of each drawdown and could be higher if market rates have deteriorated. The average life of the borrowings, which will involve a combination of longer and shorter dated maturities, under each of these sources is 7.5 years.

The interest on Ireland's borrowing from EFSM is based on the cost to EFSM of raising funds in the markets plus a margin of 2.925%. In the case of EFSF the cost of funds for Ireland is based on the cost to EFSF of raising funds in the markets plus a margin of 2.47%, plus the cost of credit enhancement features which can vary over time but amounted to 0.54% on the loan drawn down from EFSF on 1 February 2011. Discussions are under way with a view to achieving a 1 per cent reduction in the cost of Ireland's borrowing from EU sources.

With respect to borrowings from the IMF, based on current market conditions, the NTMA has estimated an effective average annual cost of around 5.20%, taking into account quota revisions and the cost of hedging and assuming drawdown of the full €22.5 billion available from the IMF. The interest rate for the UK loan will be the 7.5 year sterling swap rate plus a margin of 2.29%.

The interest rate to be paid in each year:

The amount of interest to be paid on these loans each year will be determined by the actual amounts drawn down and these amounts are still under discussion.

Tax Code

Jack Wall

Question:

88 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person who received a delayed payment from the Health Service Executive has to pay the universal social charge on the total amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8835/11]

The position is that, on the basis of the legislation as enacted, all relevant emoluments made on or after 1 January 2011 are subject to the Universal Social Charge irrespective of the period to which they relate. The Revenue Commissioners has provided detailed information on the Universal Social Charge in the form of Frequently Asked Questions. This issue is dealt with at number 4.19 of the FAQ's. These are available on the Revenue website —www.revenue.ie.

School Enrolment

Joe Higgins

Question:

89 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the funding and put in the necessary measures to open a school (details supplied) by September 2011, bearing in mind the significant demand for gaelscoil places in this area, which existing gaelscoileanna cannot meet. [8670/11]

As the Deputy may be aware, approval was recently given for a new primary school under the patronage of Educate Together in the area concerned to open in September 2011. This is to be followed by the opening of a new gaelscoil under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta in September 2012. The combination of the two new schools will cater for the increased demographics of the area referred to in the medium to long term and will greatly enhance the diversity of school provision in the area. It is also considered preferable to only open one school in an area in a given year so that enrolments in existing schools are not distorted and to allow the new school to become established and build up relationships with existing schools.

School Staffing

Dan Neville

Question:

90 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a teacher unhappy in the school in which he or she is teaching can leave that school and go back on the panel and be placed in another school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8684/11]

The purpose of the redeployment arrangements is to redeploy a teacher who is surplus in one school to a vacancy in another school. The redeployment arrangements are not designed to facilitate voluntary transfers between schools.

School Enrolment

Simon Harris

Question:

91 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for primary schools accepting pupils; if he is required to provide a place for pupils once they have reached a certain age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8691/11]

The compulsory school starting age in a National School is 6 years of age. The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. In this regard a board of management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.

Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Vocational Education Committee or to the Secretary General of my Department. The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.

Schools Refurbishment

Noel Coonan

Question:

92 Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a refurbishment project in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when the project will move to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8693/11]

The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at advanced tender stage. Subject to no issues arising, it is anticipated that the project will proceed to construction in the coming months.

FÁS Training Programmes

Charles Flanagan

Question:

93 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in respect of the possibility of vocational education committees, in the future, providing the training carried out by FÁS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8698/11]

As far as the training activities of FÁS and the VECs are concerned, I am currently reviewing options regarding the provision of further education and training and the structures to support it.

Schools Building Projects

Ciara Conway

Question:

94 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) in County Waterford will receive its site visit to commence the process of appointing a design team. [8744/11]

A major project for the school referred to by the Deputy was included on the list of projects on the work programme for 2011, which was announced on 24 January 2011, where briefs will be formulated in 2011 and the process of appointing a Design Team will commence. A new school will be provided for the school in question. Officials from my Department were in contact with the school recently in relation to the steps to be taken to progress the project. A site visit is currently being arranged.

Teaching Qualifications

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

95 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide on a yearly basis from 1960 to 1974 the number of individuals awarded the Department’s qualification, the secondary school teacher’s drawing certificate; the status of the qualification; and its use as a teaching qualification. [8757/11]

I have asked the State Examinations Commission to forward the information requested directly to the Deputy. As the records are not in electronic form for this period, the information will take some time to assemble.

School Transport

Pearse Doherty

Question:

96 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a free travel pass has been withdrawn in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8800/11]

The changes to school transport services were announced in the 2011 Budget by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and derive from a recommendation in the recently published Value for Money Review of the scheme. Changes in the 2011/2012 school year will mean that the distance criteria will be applied to all pupils attending primary schools and the exemption under the closed school rule will cease. This means that pupils categorised for transport under the CSR who reside less than 3.2 kilometres (2 miles) from the school of attendance and who are currently availing of free transport to that school under the CSR will lose transport eligibility.

The changes to school transport provision under the Closed School Rule mean that the distance criteria will be applied uniformly and equitably on a national basis. Primary school pupils who are not eligible for school transport may apply for concessionary transport subject to the terms of the scheme, at an annual charge of €200 per pupil, subject to a family maximum of €650 per annum. There is no provision within the scheme to waive the charges in respect of pupils who are availing of concessionary school transport. Given the major financial constraints facing the country, I cannot reverse the changes to school transport as announced by the previous government in Budget 2011. We all have to understand the legacy of economic mismanagement which the last Government gave to the country.

Training and Work Experience Programmes

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

97 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding graduate interns (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8803/11]

The Programme for Government contains proposals to support a Jobs Initiative which will provide additional places in training, work experience and educational opportunities for those who are out of work. This will include an Internship Scheme. Further details regarding the Jobs Initiative and an Internship Scheme will be announced shortly by the Government. Already in existence as a means for unemployed graduates to gain valuable work experience is the Work Placement Programme. The Work Placement Programme provides unemployed graduates and non-graduates with the opportunity to avail of up to 9 months work experience in a real work environment. Individuals interested in participating on the Work Placement Programme should contact their local FÁS office.

School Accommodation

Billy Timmins

Question:

98 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding accommodation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8811/11]

The most recent projections produced by my Department are forecasting an increase in the projected enrolments at primary level in the coming years. It is within this context that the Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of analysing all areas in the country in order to determine the level of additional provision which will be required at both primary and post primary level up to 2017. Overall primary requirements in Wicklow will be considered as part of this process and an appropriate long term accommodation solution to the needs of the area will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

I can confirm for the Deputy that the first two schools to which he refers have applied to my Department for major capital funding for new schools and the third school has applied for an extension. In accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale capital projects, the applications for the three schools have been assessed and all have been assigned a band 2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the proposed projects for the schools in question, is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including projects for these schools, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme with due regard to the recommendations from the Forward Planning Section of my Department and the available funding. At that point, a meeting between school representatives and my officials can be arranged if necessary. It is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the projects at this time.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

99 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Skills the person who sanctioned the purchase of 40 acres of land at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare for a multi-school campus in view of the fact that the location of the lands and their proposed use was in direct contravention of Department policy since 2005 which deemed that a new second level school was required on the Straffan side of Maynooth, County Kildare. [8839/11]

Since the publication of the Commission on School Accommodation Area Development Plan for the N4/M4 Area report in 2005, my Department has continued to analyse demographic data to identify the areas in the country where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social Protection and with reference to recent schools' enrolment data. School accommodation requirements in the Maynooth area have been considered as part of this detailed study and the Forward Planning post-primary reports forecast that a new post-primary entity will be required for Maynooth town and environs in the next 3 to 4 years.

The existing post primary school is currently housed on a 5 acre site with no room for further expansion and a current enrolment of circa 1,100 pupils. Following consultation with the Local Authority, County Kildare Vocational Education Committee submitted a proposal for the purchase of lands to meet the need for additional educational accommodation in Maynooth. The site is considered suitable for future educational purposes. On that basis, my Department approved the proposed acquisition by the VEC of these lands in order to provide for forecasted educational accommodation requirements in the Maynooth area.

Joint Labour Committees

Gerald Nash

Question:

100 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when the review of joint labour committee agreements will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8683/11]

I expect that the Review will be completed and submitted to me in the coming days. The report will be published following consideration by the Government. An action plan will be developed in consultation with the European Commission Services, in line with the provision in the EU/IMF Programme, with a view to early implementation of reforms necessary to make the statutory wage setting mechanisms more responsive to changing economic circumstances and labour market conditions.

Question No. 101 withdrawn.

Social Welfare Code

John Browne

Question:

102 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection when she will sign into law the approval for persons with long-term disabilities to do work and retain social welfare benefits when it is medically advantageous to them. [8706/11]

The legislative basis which provides for the introduction of the partial capacity benefit scheme is contained in the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2010, which was enacted by the Oireachtas in December 2010. The specific provision is subject to a Commencement Order.

The introduction of the partial capacity benefit scheme will mark a key development of the social welfare system. The scheme recognises that the current structure of the welfare system, which categorises people as ‘fit to work' or ‘unfit to work', does not reflect the reality for many existing welfare customers. It will provide an opportunity for people with disabilities, and assessed to have an employment capacity which is restricted when compared to the norm, to avail of employment opportunities while continuing to receive an income support payment.

A programme of work is currently underway to cater for the new scheme. This includes the preparation of Regulations, as required by legislation, to cover, amongst other things, the medical protocols which will determine eligibility for the scheme; the rates of payment; the development of the necessary medical criteria against which partial employment capacity will be assessed; and the development of the necessary processes and information technology systems to process claims. Every effort is being made to complete these necessary steps as soon as possible in order to allow for the formal introduction of the scheme at the earliest possible date.

Social Welfare Appeals

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

103 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal of a decision for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8716/11]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16th December 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

James Bannon

Question:

104 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for reinstatement of a carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8723/11]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

James Bannon

Question:

105 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8724/11]

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the decision. The legislation provides that an Appeals Officer may decide a case before him/her on the basis of the documentary evidence. This course of action was taken in this case as it was considered that an oral hearing was not warranted. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

James Bannon

Question:

106 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8725/11]

The person concerned is currently in receipt of carer's allowance in respect of one care recipient (caree). On 28 October 2010, following examination of the medical evidence by a medical assessor of the Department, a deciding officer refused her carer's allowance in respect of a second caree on the grounds that that caree is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. She was notified of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review or appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Additional medical evidence was subsequently received from the person concerned and was forwarded to the department's medical assessor for review. However, this additional information did not alter the opinion of the medical assessor and the decision remains unchanged. On 16 March 2011 she was notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Social Welfare Appeals

Sean Fleming

Question:

107 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8746/11]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

108 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8749/11]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24th November 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 14th March 2011 and the appeal will be referred to an Appeals Officer in due course, who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

109 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Social Protection if children with autism spectrum disorder are eligible for the domiciliary care allowance; if there were any changes to the eligibility criteria for the domiciliary care allowance when it was transferred from the Health Service Executive to the Department of Social Protection; the refusal rate for the domiciliary care allowance when it was assessed by the HSE in 2008; the refusal rate for the domiciliary care allowance assessed by her in 2010; the percentage of refusals of the domiciliary care allowance overturned on appeal; the set criteria to determine if a child is eligible for the domiciliary care allowance and the most common grounds now for refusal of the domiciliary care allowance. [8767/11]

In order to qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) a child must be under 16 years, live at home with the person providing the care, be ordinarily resident in the state and must have a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age. This extra care must be likely to be required for at least 12 months.

Eligibility for DCA is not based on the type of impairment or disease, but on the resulting lack of function of body or mind which means that the child needs extra care and attention. No condition or disability automatically qualifies a child for DCA, nor does any disability automatically rule out a claim as each case is individually assessed on its own merit. The most common reason for refusal of DCA is that the child does not satisfy the medical requirement in relation to the level of extra care and attention required.

The eligibility criteria for DCA are broadly the same as when the scheme was administered by the Health Service Executive. The main change to the scheme since it transferred to the Department is that it is now a statutory scheme while prior to the transfer the eligibility criteria was set out by way of a yearly circular from the Department of Health and Children. The refusal rate when the scheme was administered by the HSE is reported to have been approximately 20%, but as it was administered separately by each HSE area, consistency could not be guaranteed and the refusal rate varied considerably from area to area.

The current refusal rate on first application is approximately 60%. However this falls to 50% following reviews of applications undertaken as a result of additional medical information being supplied by the parents that was either not available or not submitted when the initial application was made. Of the 633 DCA appeals decided by the Social Welfare Appeals Office to December 2010, 38% were allowed.

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

110 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will be granted an oral hearing against the decision to disallow their jobseeker’s allowance appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8830/11]

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the decision. The legislation provides that an Appeals Officer may decide a case before him/her on the basis of the documentary evidence. This course of action was taken in this case as it was considered that an oral hearing was not warranted. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

111 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when an appeal hearing or oral hearing will take place in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare regarding their application for carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8833/11]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 23rd March 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

112 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the grounds for the refusal of jobseeker’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8834/11]

The means assessed in respect of the person concerned are in excess of the scheduled rate of jobseeker's allowance payable based on his spouse's earnings.

Social Welfare Appeals

Tom Fleming

Question:

113 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal on a disability welfare application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [8838/11]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 31 January 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Missing Persons

Joan Collins

Question:

114 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he plans to implement the 116000 missing children hotline in line with 13 EU member states; and if he will provide the timeframe for same. [8697/11]

Finian McGrath

Question:

115 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Directive 2009/136/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 will be transposed into Irish law before the deadline of 25 May 2011; and if so, pursuant to Article 27a of the directive, if there is a timeframe to put in place the 116000 missing children hotline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8711/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that drafting of the Regulations required to transpose Directive 2009/136/EC is at an advanced stage and it is expected that the Regulations will be signed into law by the deadline set by the European Commission of 25 May 2011. Article 27a of the Directive requires Member States to make every effort to ensure that citizens have access to a service operating a hotline to report cases of missing children under the number 116000. The allocation of specific numbers in the 116 number range of numbers, which are reserved for services of social value, is managed in Ireland by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

In November 2007 ComReg alerted potential service providers, through an advertisement campaign, to the existence of the range of numbers beginning with 116, including the 116000 hotline for missing children. The November 2007 advertisement invited suitable applicants to apply for the setting up of services of social value under the specified numbers. I am advised by ComReg that no organisation has yet applied for the missing children hotline number 116000.

The role of ComReg is limited to the assignment of the number to an appropriate service provider. Once the number has been assigned, it is a matter for the service provider to provide the service. Neither ComReg nor my Department has any function in providing such services or the remit to require any organisation to provide the service.

Telecommunications Services

Pearse Doherty

Question:

116 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress being made to roll out broadband to an area (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8728/11]

The provision of broadband services is in the first instance a matter for private sector service providers operating in Ireland's fully liberalised telecommunications market. Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite. Details of broadband services available in each county can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie.

In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) represents such an intervention. EU State Aid and competition rules govern how states can intervene in areas where there are existing service providers operating. Accordingly, the NBS is prohibited from providing a service in served areas where to do so would give rise to an unacceptable level of market distortion. The mapping exercise undertaken by my Department at the time of designing the NBS found that broadband services were available in the area referred to in the Deputy's Question and consequently the locality was excluded from the Scheme.

I am pleased to say that under the NBS broadband is now available in all Electoral Divisions in the NBS Coverage Area. It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. I am aware that there continues to be a small percentage of premises throughout the country that will not be capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight etc.).

The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. Using this funding, which will be augmented by an Exchequer contribution, I intend to formally launch a Rural Broadband Scheme shortly. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to individual unserved rural premises outside of the NBS areas. Information in relation to acceptance of applications and the process of qualification under the scheme will be made available in due course when the scheme is launched.

Pearse Doherty

Question:

117 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress being made in the roll-out of broadband to district electoral divisions that were not covered under the national broadband scheme and that are still without broadband provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8729/11]

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter in the first instance for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) represents such an intervention. Broadband services are now available throughout the entire NBS area.

However, despite Government and private investment in broadband, I am aware that there continue to be isolated cases of premises throughout the country that are not capable of receiving a broadband service. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (e.g., suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, or no ‘line of sight' from the premises to the wireless base station).

The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. Using this funding, which will be augmented by an Exchequer contribution, I intend to formally announce the launch of a Rural Broadband Scheme in the coming weeks. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to individual un-served rural premises outside of the NBS areas. There will be a competitive process to engage a service provider who will offer a broadband service to qualified applicants under the scheme. While the exact details have yet to be finalised, I expect that the service offered under this scheme would at least match the service offered under the NBS and that the scheme will be fully rolled out by the end of 2012.

Energy Conservation

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

118 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the moneys that have been provided in 2011 for the warmer homes scheme to assist householders on low income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8732/11]

The Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) aims to provide energy efficiency improvements to homes in, or at risk of, energy poverty and is targeted at householders who are in receipt of the Fuel Allowance, Disability Benefit or Invalidity Benefit. Measures undertaken include attic insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets, energy efficient lighting, cavity wall insulation and energy advice at no cost to eligible households. The Warmer Homes Scheme is funded within the overall budget envelope of the Retrofit Programme, which has a total allocation in 2011 of €69.9 million.

Oil Prices

Joan Collins

Question:

119 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current estimate in billions of barrels of oil equivalent of the extent of the oil and gas deposits lying off the coast in Irish waters and the current value at 2011 world prices of these oil and gas deposits lying offshore around the Irish coast. [8733/11]

The only commercial discoveries of natural gas made in the Irish offshore are the three producing fields in the Kinsale area, along with the Corrib Gas Field which is currently being developed. To date, there have been no commercial discoveries of oil in the Irish offshore.

Recent petroleum systems assessment for the offshore frontier basins west of Ireland indicate a yet-to-find reserve potential in the order of 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent. This divides roughly into 6.5 billion barrels of oil and 20 trillion cubic feet of gas. I must however stress that these figures only represent "potential" reserves, or the reserves that might be present based on geological criteria and regional comparisons, and that they have not been discovered. Extensive exploration, including the drilling of hundreds of exploration wells, would be necessary in order to test the general accuracy of this estimate. There is little sense in speculating as to the potential value of something that has not yet been proven to exist.

Register of Electors

Robert Dowds

Question:

120 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the electoral commission Bill due to be published during the summer session will provide for a computerised electoral register based on PPS numbers, as is used in Northern Ireland; and if not, if he will consider its inclusion. [8678/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

124 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding voting registration procedure (details supplied); his plans to improve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8802/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 124 together.

In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. While there have been improvements in these regards in recent years, I am satisfied that further improvements can be made. On the matter of registration procedures, it is up to each individual to avail of the opportunity to register. The Register is updated annually and those not on it can avail of the supplement to the Register up until 15 days before the next polling day.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an Electoral Commission to subsume functions of existing bodies and my Department. An Electoral Commission will be an important element in a reformed and revitalised electoral system and I am currently giving consideration to how the necessary measures to establish an Electoral Commission can be advanced, including its structure and functions. I will, in that context, give consideration to issues raised concerning the electoral register.

Planning Issues

Peter Mathews

Question:

121 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to amend legislation for planning permission that the proposer must sign an affidavit stating that the planning signs have been checked for visibility on a daily basis and that meetings will be arranged with local communities to explain the benefits and impacts of the proposed development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8688/11]

Planning legislation provides for extensive public notification of proposed development. For example, article 17 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2010, requires an applicant to erect a site notice in order to lodge a valid application for planning permission. Article 19 of the Regulations requires that this notice must be placed in a conspicuous position on or near the main entrance from a public road to the land or structure concerned, so as to be easily visible and legible by persons using the public road.

Alternatively, if the land or structure does not adjoin a public road, the site notice should be placed so as to be easily visible and legible by persons outside the land or structure. It is important to bear in mind, however, that although the notice must inform the public of the nature and extent of the application, it is only by examining the planning application lodged with the planning authority that a person will obtain full information on the proposed development.

The site notice must contain the date on which the site notice is erected and state that the planning application may be inspected or purchased at the offices of the planning authority and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing, on payment of the prescribed fee, within the 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application. The applicant must erect the site notice no sooner than 2 weeks before making the application for permission in order to facilitate third party inspection of the application. Where it appears to a planning authority that any notice does not comply with these requirements, they may require the applicant to give further notice and evidence in relation to compliance with such a requirement.

Article 18 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2006 also provides that a notice be published in a newspaper approved for this purpose. Each planning authority must decide which newspapers should be included on their approved list of newspapers in order to ensure that the newspapers used for the purpose of such notices have a sufficiently large circulation in their functional area. The current notification system, which provides for both a newspaper notice and a site notice, is kept under regular review in my Department.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Andrew Doyle

Question:

122 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the follow-on from the EU Commission meeting on the role of agriculture and forestry in achieving the EU’s climate change commitments on 28 January 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8710/11]

The stakeholder meeting on 28 January 2011 was part of a wider consultation carried out by the European Commission in the context of examining the possible inclusion of emissions and removals from activities related to LULUCF (land use, land use change and forestry) in the EU greenhouse gas reduction commitment post-2013. The follow on from that meeting rests with the Commission. Under Article 9 of Decision No. 406/2009/EC dated 13 April 2009 (on the effort of Member States to reduce their emissions to meet the Community's greenhouse gas emission reduction commitment up to 2020) the Commission is required to bring forward a proposal by 30 June 2011.

Local Authority Housing

Seán Kenny

Question:

123 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when approval will be given to Dublin City Council to go to planning permission application stage for a project (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [8738/11]

My Department is awaiting information from Dublin City Council on a number of design and costing issues for the project in question. It is proposed to meet with the Council in the near future to discuss their regeneration programme as a whole, including this proposed project. As with all social housing projects, it will be a matter for the housing authority, the City Council, to progress this proposal in accordance with the usual conditions, and to manage its delivery in the context of its overall social housing programme and having regard to its available funding resources.

Question No. 124 answered with Question No. 120.

Proposed Legislation

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

125 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce a deposit protection scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8804/11]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 107 of the 6th of April 2011, which sets out the position on this matter.

Seán Crowe

Question:

126 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce or enact any new legislation for bankruptcy, particularly for surviving spouses of bankruptees. [8737/11]

The Government commitment under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland is to publish insolvency reform legislation by Quarter 1 of 2012. The legislative programme for my Department includes a Personal Insolvency Bill that will provide for a new framework for settlement and enforcement of debt and for personal insolvency. The Bill, proposals in respect of which are being developed in my Department, will take into account the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission in its Report on Personal Debt Management and Debt Enforcement of December 2010. The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, that is in the course of being drafted with a view to publication as soon as possible this year, will contain some interim measures in relation to reform of the law on bankruptcy.

Juvenile Offenders

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

127 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funding was cut to a WHAD project which made it possible for young persons who were regularly before the courts or who were deemed at risk of offending to reduce and to stop offending and to adopt a law abiding lifestyle including through meaningful community work; the action he will take with the probation service to restore this funding or of he will make an alternative funding stream available to compensate for the loss. [8671/11]

My Department provides funding via the Irish Youth Justice Service to a range of community based projects across the country which operate in partnership with An Garda Síochána and the Young Persons Probation Division of the Probation Service. Due to the current economic difficulties the total funding available for such projects has been reduced for 2011. Consequently, project allocations across the country were reduced and the projects, including WHAD (We Have A Dream), were asked to make savings while doing their utmost to maintain service and activity levels. In view of these circumstances I am not in a position to provide additional funding at this stage.

Citizenship Applications

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

128 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when it is expected that citizenship will be granted to enable a passport to be obtained in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [8687/11]

A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in November 2008. The application is being finalised at present and will be submitted to me for decision shortly.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Proposed Legislation

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

129 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to amend the Multi-unit Development Act 2011 in view of the fact that it excludes mixed-use multi-unit developments from the one-unit-one vote measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8694/11]

The position regarding voting rights in the case of a mixed-use multi-unit development is that section 2(4)(b) of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 provides that the requirements relating to voting rights in section 14(1) and (2) shall be regarded as being complied with where such rights are apportioned in a manner which is fair and equitable. This is intended to ensure that the interests of the owners of different classes of units within such a mixed-use development are adequately safeguarded. Section 2(5) provides that except where otherwise provided, the Act applies to every multi-unit development.

Section 24 of the Act establishes a mechanism for the resolution of disputes arising in relation to multi-unit developments, including mixed-use developments. Any person referred to in section 25(1) may apply to the Circuit Court under section 24 for an order to enforce any rights conferred or obligation imposed under the Act. Section 24(9) provides that where the Circuit Court is satisfied that the structure of the voting rights in an owners' management company is not established on a fair and equitable basis, it may, where it is satisfied that it is necessary in the interests of justice to do so, make an order altering the voting rights of members in the owners' management company concerned.

Departmental Investigations

Martin Ferris

Question:

130 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will investigate allegations (details supplied). [8695/11]

I am currently awaiting a document, containing the allegations referred to, from the Deputy. Once I am in receipt of this and have considered its contents I will contact the Deputy.

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Charles Flanagan

Question:

131 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps being taken to address the delays in providing Garda clearance certificates to those participating in FÁS community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8699/11]

I do have concerns at the length of time currently being taken to process vetting applications. I recognise that it is important to process these applications within a reasonable time frame both for the benefit of the applicants and the organisations involved. I am informed by the Garda authorities that at present there are a total of five Gardaí, 76 full-time Garda civilian personnel and ten temporary civilian personnel assigned to the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU). This represents a very significant increase in the level of personnel assigned to the unit, which stood at only 13 before the current process of development in Garda vetting began in 2005.

A number of immediate measures are being taken to improve the situation. The sanction of the Department of Finance has been obtained to retain the services of ten temporary employees in the GCVU. A further sanction has been obtained to engage an additional ten temporary employees for the Unit and these are now being recruited. This should have an impact on processing times. In addition, further steps are under consideration with a view to alleviating the pressure on the staff of the GCVU and to reduce the time taken for the processing of applications.

The GCVU, based in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, provides a centralised employment vetting to organisations in Ireland registered with the Garda Síochána for this purpose and which employ or engage persons in a full-time, part-time, voluntary or training capacity to positions where they would have substantial, unsupervised access to children and/or vulnerable adults. This, of course, includes the healthcare sector. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that, at present, the average processing time for vetting applications received at the GCVU is approximately 10 weeks.

The service has been expanded greatly in recent years as part of an ongoing, phased programme to roll-out vetting to an increasing number of organisations in the child and vulnerable adult care sectors. This target group is the clear policy priority. Within this programme the vetting service has now been extended to over 18,000 organisations. The GCVU has managed a substantial increase over recent years in the numbers of vetting applications it receives. The figures since 2006 are as follows:

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

137,600

187,864

218,404

246,194

291,938

The average processing time for vetting applications fluctuates in line with periods of increased demand. In processing an individual vetting application, additional time may be required in cases where clarification is needed as to the details provided or where other enquiries need to be made, for example, when the person in question has lived and worked abroad. There will always be a reasonably significant time period required to process a vetting application. Registered organisations have been advised to take account of this in their recruitment and selection process. However, the Gardaí make every effort to reduce the time to the minimum possible consistent with carrying out what are very necessary checks.

Departmental Functions

Dara Calleary

Question:

132 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the precise functions of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8712/11]

Dara Calleary

Question:

133 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which he and the Department of Foreign Affairs share responsibilities. [8713/11]

Dara Calleary

Question:

134 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide the division of responsibilities between his Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs. [8714/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 to 134, inclusive, together.

I can inform the Deputy that my Department has a broad range of policy and executive functions in relation to Justice and Equality. These include, at present:

Supporting An Garda Síochána and Tackling Crime — including community security, law enhancement and crime prevention through support for An Garda Síochána.

Developing Justice Services including the maintenance of safe and secure custody for offenders through support for the Prison Service; management of the Courts and supporting the Judiciary; the provision of Probation Services and Youth Justice Services; and the provision of Property Registration Services.

Provision of Immigration and Related Services.

Promotion of a Caring, Integrated and Equitable Society through developing policies and supporting programmes which address issues of equality, discrimination, diversity and integration.

Promotion of a Secure and Peaceful Society through putting in place appropriate policies and measures to ensure that the security of the State is guaranteed; supporting the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland and co-operating on matters of mutual interest in the field of criminal justice.

Law Reform — advancing the Government's legislative programme, keeping legislation under review and providing for improved regulatory systems where required.

Further details concerning my Department's responsibilities are set out clearly in the Department's Statement of Strategy which is available on the Department's website at www.justice.ie, and which indicates some of the many policy areas in which there is on-going interaction with numerous Departments, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Issues concerning immigration and Northern Ireland are but two examples of policy areas in which my Department interacts with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Finally, the Deputy might wish to note that my Department is required, pursuant to the Public Services Management Act 1997, to prepare a new Statement of Strategy and present this to me within six months of my taking office i.e. by 8 September 2011. A new Mission Statement for the Department will be developed in this process.

Refugee Status

James Bannon

Question:

135 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding refugee status in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8722/11]

Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 5th January, 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Sean Fleming

Question:

136 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for citizenship currently on hand for persons from Sierra Leone; the average and the maximum time taken to deal with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8748/11]

The number of applications for citizenship currently on hand for persons from Sierra Leone is 49. Statistics are not compiled in such a way as to provide the information requested by the Deputy. The average processing for the generality of applications is 25 months. However, processing requirements and time taken to complete necessary checks vary from case to case. I am unhappy with the length of time it takes to process citizenship applications. I have initiated steps within my Department to provide for a speedier processing of applications and to bring about a substantial reduction in the time scale. When the Department is in a position to implement these new arrangements an announcement will be made.

Garda Promotions

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

137 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of promotions at the rank of inspector, superintendent and chief superintendent that have been approved; if additional posts are likely to be approved later this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8758/11]

I recently received sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the filling of six posts and on 22nd March the Government appointed one Deputy Commissioner, one Assistant Commissioner, one Chief Superintendent and three Superintendents in An Garda Síochána. As the Deputy will be aware, the moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the Public Service continues to apply to the Garda Síochána for both sworn members and civilian support staff. The situation is continually kept under review in consultation with the Garda Commissioner and derogations can be sought in exceptional circumstances from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Citizenship Applications

Jack Wall

Question:

138 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8762/11]

A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in July 2010. The application is being processed in the normal way with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision in due course. While the average time from application to decision is 25 months, processing requirements and time taken to carry out necessary checks vary from case to case. However, in response to Parliamentary Question Number 7104/11 of 7th April last, I outlined that I have initiated steps to provide for speedier processing of applications.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Jack Wall

Question:

139 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is qualified to seek naturalisation under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended; and, if so, the procedure they must now follow to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8765/11]

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in May 2008. On examination of the application submitted it was determined that the person in question did not meet that statutory residency requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended. The person concerned was informed of this in a letter issued to her on 8 October, 2008.

It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements. The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are that the applicant must — be of full age; be of good character; have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years; have made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.

In the context of naturalisation, certain periods of residence in the State are excluded. These include — periods of residence in respect of which an applicant does not have permission to remain in the State; periods granted for the purposes of study; periods granted for the purposes of seeking recognition as a refugee within the meaning of the Refugee Act, 1996.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

140 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and or expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8827/11]

Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 23rd November, 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome. In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

141 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2 with a view to determining if their application might be reviewed on humanitarian grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8828/11]

I refer the Deputy to the replies given to his Parliamentary Question No. 1108 Wednesday, 25 September 2010, Parliamentary Question No. 149 Thursday, 25 November 2010, Parliamentary Question No. 517, Wednesday, 12 January 2011 and Parliamentary Question No. 203 Tuesday the 22 March 2011. The position is unchanged since the most recent reply. The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order following a comprehensive and thorough examination of his asylum claim and a detailed examination of the representations he submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).

If there has been a change in the circumstances of the person concerned, or new information has come to light which has a direct bearing on his case, there remains the option of applying to me for revocation of the Deportation Order pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended. However I wish to make clear that such an application would require substantial grounds to be successful. The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

142 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will set out the basis for qualification for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8829/11]

Officials in the Citizenship section of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question. The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are that the applicant must — be of full age; be of good character; have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years; have made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.

In the context of naturalisation, certain periods of residence in the State are excluded. These include — periods of residence in respect of which an applicant does not have permission to remain in the State; periods granted for the purposes of study; periods granted for the purposes of seeking recognition as a refugee within the meaning of the Refugee Act, 1996. It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

143 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8831/11]

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 25th July, 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome. In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

144 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 on the grounds of established time here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8832/11]

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 27th March, 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome. He has also submitted written representations for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).

The person concerned has also sought to have his case to remain in the State considered in line with the principles set out in the recent European Court of Justice Judgment in the Zambrano case. My Department will be examining all such cases in the coming weeks to see where the Zambrano criteria might apply. Where the Zambrano criteria is met, all other things being equal, permission to remain in the State will be granted, for a specified period, of a nature as will enable such persons to work in the State without an Employment Permit or to set up in any legitimate business or profession without seeking the permission of the Minister. When the case of the person concerned has been examined in this context, he will be advised of the outcome.

In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, and if the person concerned is not found to meet the Zambrano criteria, his position in the State will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once such a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Grant Payments

John Browne

Question:

145 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the balance of the single farm payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [8705/11]

The person named was the subject of a Nitrates inspection by my Department acting on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Health and Local Government on the 19th of April 2010. This inspection uncovered discrepancies that were deemed to be intentional and a penalty of 15% was recorded against the 2010 Direct Payments for the person named. The person named was informed of this decision on the 6th of May 2010 and of his right to seek a review. He was also informed of his right to appeal the outcome of any review to the Independent Agriculture Appeals office. To date no request for review has been received. Payments under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme were issued to the applicant on 18 October 2010 (€1,939.56), 1 December 2010 (€1,163.74) and 15 February 2011 (€12,617.76).

Animal Welfare

Anne Ferris

Question:

146 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to reports that the Irish Greyhound Board is in talks to send Irish greyhounds to China in order to establish a greyhound industry; his views that this would be contrary to the recently drafted Welfare of Greyhounds Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8743/11]

Bord na gCon is a commercial State Body. The Board of Bord na gCon is responsible for leading and directing the activities of the Company. My Department is aware that Bord na gCon is exploring possible business opportunities in China and has recently made a submission to my Department in this regard. My Department will consider the Bord na gCon proposal and form a view based on the case presented to it. My Department is always mindful of the need to ensure the welfare of animals.

Bord na gCon has repeatedly confirmed its commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare in the greyhound industry. Any proposal to export greyhounds from Ireland to China would require the establishment and agreement of export health certification protocols with the Chinese authorities, and appropriate transport arrangements would have to be put in place to ensure the welfare of the animals in transit. My Department endeavours to ensure that all exporters comply with Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations

All Member States of the EU including Ireland are working to promote better animal welfare internationally and in this regard Ireland has introduced national legislation giving effect to Regulation (EC) No. 1523/2007 of the European Parliament and Council dated 11 December 2007 banning the marketing, import to or export from, the Community of cat and dog fur and products containing such fur.

Departmental Schemes

John O'Mahony

Question:

147 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the sheep fencing and handling scheme will go ahead to be given to first time applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8760/11]

The grant applications received during the course of the first tranche provided for under the Sheep Fencing/Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme are currently being processed within my Department. This work will be completed as soon as possible.

John O'Mahony

Question:

148 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there is a commitment for five years for the agri-environment options scheme recently announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8761/11]

On Wednesday 6th April, I announced the re-opening of the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) for 2011 and confirmed that the scheme will be open for applications until 16th May. I have made funding of €25 million per annum available for this scheme with a maximum payment to any farmer of €4,000 per annum.

All contracts will run for at least five years which will extend their duration beyond the expiry of the current EU Financial perspective programming period which ends on 31st December 2013. New participants in the scheme will be offered the opportunity to adjust their commitments for the period of their contract beyond that date to the legal framework of the period commencing on 1 January 2014. If such an adjustment is not acceptable to the participant, he/she may withdraw from the schemes without the normal requirement for reimbursement of aid already received.

Grant Payments

Paul Connaughton

Question:

149 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their ewe grant and REP scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8826/11]

The person named commenced REPS 4 in April 2008 and received the year 1 payment in July 2009 and the year 2 payment in January 2010. The year 3 payment has now been processed and payment will issue within two weeks. The person named submitted an application for consideration under the Grassland Sheep Scheme; the case is now fully processed with payment due to issue to the person named in the coming week.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

150 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in an area aid payment for 2010 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8836/11]

While the herd-number is held jointly by the person named and his brother, the Single Payment Scheme application received on 14 May 2010 was signed by the person named only. Following a request for clarification, the person named indicated that his brother was deceased. Payment under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme cannot be released until such time as grant of Probate or Letters of Administration have been received by my Department.

In March of this year, the Inheritance Enquiry Unit of my Department wrote to the person named outlining procedures for the transfer of the herd-number into his sole name. The person named was also requested to forward the necessary documentation required to release the 2010 Single Payment namely a copy of a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration as well as the details of the client account of the solicitor administering the estate of his deceased brother. When this information is received, the outstanding payment will issue without delay.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

151 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive his agri-environment options scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8842/11]

Under the EU Regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. Payment will issue to the person named at the earliest possible date once these checks have been completed.

Commemorative Events

Brian Stanley

Question:

152 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will update Dáil Éireann on the progress in 2011 in organising the Irish Famine memorial day; the date on which the national Famine commemoration committee is meeting; the names of the members of the committee; the discussions she has had with her counterpart in the Northern Assembly relevant to the event being hosted in the North of Ireland in 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8736/11]

The National Famine Commemoration Committee was appointed for a second term of office in February of this year. The committee has a broad role in terms of serving, on behalf of the Government, to generate ideas and to make recommendations regarding appropriate arrangements for the annual commemoration of the Great Famine and related events.

The first meeting of the new committee took place on 2 February 2011 and a range of issues in relation to the 2011 commemoration were discussed. As the Deputy will be aware, building on the precedents of the commemorations of recent years, the 2011 National Famine Commemoration is scheduled to take place in Ulster. At present, officials from relevant Government Departments are liaising in relation to these matters. In this regard, I am advised that contacts have taken place with a range of interested parties in Northern Ireland. It is hoped that another meeting of the National Famine Commemoration Committee will take place shortly to discuss options around the 2011 event.

The current membership of National Famine Commemoration Committee is as follows:

Dr Majda Bne Saad;

Prof Thomas Cooke;

Mr Brian Hanratty;

Ms Terri Kearney;

Ms Mary Kennedy;

Mr Justin Kilcullen;

Dr Éamon Phoenix;

Mr Hugh Swift;

Prof Ríonach Uí Ógáin;

Dr Patrick Wallace.

The Committee is also supported by officials from relevant Government Departments/Offices, including my own Department; the Department of the Taoiseach; the Department of Foreign Affairs; the Department of Education and Skills; the Department of Defence; Irish Aid; the Defence Forces; and OPW.

Substance Abuse

Gerald Nash

Question:

153 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the levels of alcohol abuse and misuse here; his further views that reported levels of alcohol consumption ought to be arrested from a public health, social and economic perspective; the measures he will take to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8674/11]

Gerald Nash

Question:

157 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether widespread sponsorship of major sporting events by alcohol companies is having an impact on levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol abuse here; if he will review the situation regarding the sponsorship of sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8682/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 157 together.

The level of alcohol consumption in the population coupled with the predominant pattern of "binge drinking" is a matter of significant concern. The National Substance Misuse Strategy (NSMS) Steering Group has been working to develop proposals and make recommendations to address the problems caused by alcohol misuse in Irish society. The Steering Group was established in December 2009 to develop the alcohol element of the National Substance Misuse Strategy. It will base its recommendations on evidence based measures to deal with the significant public health issue of alcohol in areas such as supply (including price, availability and marketing), prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. The NSMS Steering Group will also consider the question of sport sponsorship by the alcohol industry. I expect to receive the Report of the Steering Group later this year.

Departmental Surveys

Robert Dowds

Question:

154 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health and Children if the SLAN survey will be going ahead in 2011. [8675/11]

My Department is currently considering how up-to-date National Health and Lifestyle Survey (SLAN) data on the adult population might be gathered taking account of the reduced resources available for such surveys. At this stage my Department is considering the requirements for a lifestyle survey to be carried out in 2012.

Public Sector Pay

Robert Dowds

Question:

155 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to reverse the December 2010 decision to phase out payments to student nurses doing fourth year placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8676/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

166 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will address the serious situation faced by pre-registration nurses and midwives contracted and staffed to hospitals who are seeing 80% of their pay being phased out and their pay to be abolished completely by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8801/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 166 together.

I recently approved a review of the rationale for the total abolition of payments to student nurses during their 4th year pre-registration rostered placement. As part of this review, my Department has sought the views of the relevant nursing unions. The Deputies may wish to note that the review does not encompass the arrangements for student nurses undertaking a rostered placement in 2011.

Health Service Staff

Robert Dowds

Question:

156 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding the number of vacancies currently available in the Health Service Executive for speech and language therapists; and the extent to which there will be employment possibilities for them in Ireland in the future. [8677/11]

The Employment Control Framework for the Health Sector 2011-2014 provides exemptions for a number of specific grades from the general moratorium on recruitment and promotion. It provides that vacant Speech and Language Therapist posts may be filled. In addition, the Framework also provides for the creation of a combined total of 380 speech & language therapist, physiotherapist and occupational therapist posts, in addition to the December 2009 level for these grades.

The HSE has informed me that it is recruiting speech & language therapists in order to meet the requirements of integrated health care delivery and particularly to address needs in the community. In 2009, the HSE employed 776.46 WTE speech and language therapists. By the end of 2010, this figure had increased by 62.45 WTE, making a total of almost 839 WTE. In 2011, an additional 17 WTE speech and language therapists have been recruited up to March, making a 10.3% increase since December 2009.

Question No. 157 answered with Question No. 153.

Long-Term Illness Scheme

Anne Ferris

Question:

158 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider adding Crohn’s disease to the long-term illness scheme in view of the fact that persons living with Crohn’s disease have to attend their general practitioners on a regular basis and have to have various hospital procedures carried out regularly; if he will further consider introducing a prescription only medical card to help persons with Crohn’s disease in view of the fact that paying €120 on the drugs payment scheme is out of the question for many persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8689/11]

Under the 1970 Health Act, the Health Service Executive may arrange for the supply, without charge, of medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with specified conditions, for the treatment of that condition, through the Long Term Illness Scheme (LTI). The LTI does not cover GP fees or hospital co-payments. The conditions are: mental handicap, mental illness (for people under 16 only), phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism, conditions arising from thalidomide and acute leukaemia. There are currently no plans to extend the list of eligible conditions covered by the LTI.

Under the Drugs Payment Scheme, which was introduced in 1999, no individual or family unit pays more than €120 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultations. Under the Government's proposals for Universal Health Insurance and free GP care at the point of delivery, this issue will be considered and addressed.

Voluntary Sector Funding

Anne Ferris

Question:

159 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide funding to an organisation (details supplied) in County Wicklow to help fund the volunteer to drive scheme which it has recently set up to bring patients from its area to St. Luke’s Hospital, Dublin for treatment in view of the fact that this organisation receives no official funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8692/11]

Under the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), cancer surgery and diagnosis are undergoing a process of consolidation into eight centres (and one satellite centre) while radiation oncology services are provided in a limited number of centres. Consequently, patients may need to travel for treatment. There are a number of systems of support in place for these patients through the Community Welfare Office services and the NCCP's Travel2Care scheme, while the Health Service Executive (HSE) is currently reviewing its policy in relation to eligibility for non-ambulance based patient transport services in order that a consistent policy is adopted nationally for these services.

Health Services

Martin Ferris

Question:

160 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive treatment. [8696/11]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Smoking Ban

Finian McGrath

Question:

161 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will end the harassment of smokers by the Health Service Executive and not remove the perspex shelter from a public house (details supplied). [8701/11]

The Health Service Executive is responsible for enforcing the Smoke-free at Work legislation, including the provisions relating to outdoor areas. Accordingly, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on an individual case.

Child Abuse

Finian McGrath

Question:

162 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding best advice and practice regarding a matter (details supplied). [8702/11]

Every organisation involved with children has a duty to protect the child and to safeguard them from harm. "Children First", the National Guidelines for the protection and welfare of children, provide that the Health Service Executive (HSE), as the agency with statutory responsibility, should always be notified where there are reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been abused, is being abused, or is at risk of abuse. Contact details for local social work departments can be found on the ‘Find a Health Service' section of the HSE's website (www.hse.ie) or by calling the HSE information line on 1850 24 1850. In the event of an emergency, where it is believed that there is an immediate or serious risk to a child, a report should be made to An Garda Síochána at any Garda station.

If a person or organisation has misgivings about the safety of a child and would find it helpful to discuss such concerns with a professional, they should not hesitate to contact the HSE. Members of the general public should also be aware that the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998 makes provision for the protection from civil liability of persons who have reported child abuse "reasonably and in good faith" to designated officers in the HSE or to An Garda Síochána.

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Emmet Stagg

Question:

163 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare receiving treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund was refused ambulance transport. [8704/11]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Services

Anne Ferris

Question:

164 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider providing funding for the establishment of a teen parents support programme to serve County Wicklow in order to encourage students who become parents to remain in the education system; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the TPSP is already established in 11 other counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8726/11]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Pension Levy

Eamonn Maloney

Question:

165 Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of employees paying the pension levy whose employment was terminated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8735/11]

All staff in my Department have been liable for the pension related deduction since its introduction in March 2009. In 2010, the employment of fourteen members of staff came to an end due to retirement, expiry of contract and death in service . This figure does not include staff who left the Department during 2010, following transfer to another Department, secondment to another Department, commencement of career break or who returned to their parent Department following the end of their secondment.

Question No. 166 answered with Question No. 155.

Mental Health Services

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

167 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will publish a detailed plan for the reform of mental health services here; if the Health Service Executive put in place an accountable structure and implementation plan and resourcing to deliver on commitments given in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8806/11]

The implementation of ’A Vision for Change’ is primarily the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE). In 2009, the Board of the Health Service Executive approved an Implementation Plan for ’A Vision for Change’ for the period 2009 — 2013. In November 2009, the HSE also appointed an Assistant National Director as the national lead to ensure the delivery of mental health services in line with legislation and Government policy. The Programme for Government makes a number of commitments in relation to mental health and I am currently engaged in discussions with my officials with a view to delivering progress as early as possible.

Health Service Staff

Emmet Stagg

Question:

168 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will arrange for an inspector to be appointed to investigate the fact that no records exist in relation to an employee (details supplied). [8841/11]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Road Network

Timmy Dooley

Question:

169 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will commit to proceeding with major road projects when there has already been considerable investment and work undertaken in view of his review of road and rail projects. [8719/11]

As the Deputy is aware, the National Recovery Plan, which was published by the previous Government in November, envisaged significantly reduced road investment for the duration of the Plan and therefore the scope for proceeding with major road projects is very limited. The capital investment review that is now planned will form the basis for a new National Development Plan for the period 2012-2017 and will examine the costs and benefits of all capital projects against a range of economic, social and environmental criteria. Key considerations in the transport sector will be the need to protect the investment made to date in our road network and to continue with remedial safety measures. Once the funding framework for capital expenditure is determined it will be a matter for the National Roads Authority to prioritise projects within its funding envelope.

Rail Network

Catherine Murphy

Question:

170 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the proposed rail interconnector for Dublin city’s rail services is a priority project; if he anticipates any delay in the implementation of this project due to budgetary constraints; if he has conducted any analysis of the benefit that such a project will have on commerce in the city and greater Dublin area as a result of reduced traffic congestion and increased efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8721/11]

Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as the DART Underground, comes under the remit of the NTA. As regards policy in relation to major capital projects such as DART Underground, the Government has announced a full review of capital investment which will assess the merits and affordability of projects.

This review will take place against a background of the new financial reality. This reality means that the three large public transport projects in the Dublin area cannot proceed at the same time. The previous Government recognised this when it postponed the Dart Underground Tunnel to post 2014 following publication of the National Recovery Plan. Furthermore Dart Underground Tunnel like Metro North was being developed as a Public Private Partnership and there is currently much uncertainty about the availability of private funds for major projects dependent on Exchequer funding due to the sovereign debt situation.

I am however hopeful that one major rail or light rail project can be delivered but it is too early to speculate on which one. I can say that all realistic options for delivery of one project will be examined including on an incremental, phased basis and if possible with private funding. A comprehensive business case for the DART Underground has been completed and is available on the website of the National Transport Authority at www.nationaltransport.ie. An Bord Pleanála is currently conducting an oral hearing in relation to the application for a Railway Order for the Dart Underground Tunnel.

Public Transport

Dessie Ellis

Question:

171 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will give a commitment that Dublin Bus will be protected from privatisation. [8817/11]

I have no plans to privatise Dublin Bus. However, in accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government to explore the benefit to the public transport passenger of more diverse bus service provision, I am considering the various options that are currently available as regards achieving greater diversity of bus operators.

Under EU law and the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended, existing public service obligation (PSO) bus and rail services can be procured by the National Transport Authority (NTA) through direct award contracts and any other new subvented services must be procured by way of open tendering. The direct award contract with Dublin Bus applies for 5 years. At the end of the 5 year period NTA has discretion to renew or modify the direct award provision of bus services following a consultation process with interested parties under which the NTA is obliged to justify its approach. Apart from the public service contract responsibilities granted to the NTA, the 2009 Act also conferred on the NTA responsibility for the licensing of commercial public bus passenger services. The NTA published, in November 2010, new Guidelines for the licensing of public bus services which set out the basis for a reformed licensing system for commercial bus passenger services in the State. The Guidelines identify commercial bus passenger services as a key part of public transport services in the State.

I will be consulting with my Ministerial colleagues on the future options for procurement of PSO bus services once I have completed my examination of the options. I hope to announce the outcome of those consultations in the coming months.

Airport Development Projects

Shane Ross

Question:

172 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the commercial success or failure of Terminal Two at Dublin Airport; in view of its performance to date, his plans to reduce the remuneration of the DAA chief executive (details supplied). [8846/11]

The reference to the commercial success or failure of Terminal Two at Dublin airport, is a matter that lies within the responsibilities of the Dublin Airport Authority, and I have referred that part of the question to the Company for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if he has not received a reply within ten working days.

I do not believe it would be appropriate to debate the details of remuneration of any individual in the House in the first instance. The salary scales of existing Chief Executives of commercial State bodies are determined on the basis of the Hay Report and then become part of the formal contractual arrangements between the Board of the State body and the Chief Executive. The performance of the Chief Executive of a State company is a matter for the Board of the relevant company. In light of the current economic climate and the need for social solidarity, at a recent meeting in Dublin Castle of all the state agencies and commercial semi-state companies under the aegis of my department, I reiterated the government's opposition to the payment of bonuses to Chief Executives.

Departmental Schemes

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

173 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that funding arrangements are still in place for smarter travel projects and that the Drimnagh integrated area plan in Dublin is being actively considered as a pilot project. [8756/11]

A decision has yet to be announced regarding the outcome of the Smarter Travel Areas Competition. The future of this Programme is being considered in the context of the available budget for 2011 and the National Recovery Plan. Dublin City Council will be notified of the outcome of the Drimnagh bid in due course.

Public Transport

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

174 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of buses in the Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus fleet for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8759/11]

The issue raised is an operational matter for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

National Car Test

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

175 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the national car test (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8805/11]

The subject matter of this particular question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Taxi Regulations

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

176 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding persons operating illegally as taxi drivers. [8807/11]

This is an enforcement matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the Garda Síochána under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. I have no function in the matter. I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be sent to the NTA for a direct response. I would ask the Deputy to advise my Office if he does not receive a response within ten days.

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